Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-14
County Off GERS.
Speeches OF Hon. Geo. II. Gardner, at
Stevens Point, and J. w. Cochran, at
PittsviIIe.

The Stevens Point Journal gives us
the following synopsis of Hon. Geo. R.
Gardner's speech in that city on the 4th
of July:
The e. s.sr in his opening congratu-
lat . z = people on their patriotic
obse = Z te of the day, which all good
Ame1Som citizens regard so highly.
Passing on, he commented on our form
of government, its beneficial effects
upon all class'ttof our citizens, whereby
all the highe,"tbfficial positions in the
governmenki re opento any citizen who
makes him74f worthy OF them He
referred il eterms of praise to the
American pnteer soldier, saying in
substance Il 1t in many countries such
an army al we had at the civil war
WoulS'N Nhavetbeen a source of menace to
the existing government, but instead Of
that being thd case in this country, the
army composed of American volunteer
soldiers peacefully disbanded, each
resuming his labors where he left off
when he donned the blue. Speaking of
our manner of educating the young, he
said that our system of common schools
lay at the foundation of our form Of
government, and that it beloved us to
see that the young reaped the full benefit
which was offered them by thege
schools. But above all, the speaker
thought that the home was the place
that should receive the greatest care
and attention, for it was there the child
received his first instruction in the
duties which in after life he would be
called upon to perform as an American
citizen. That the influence the mother
had on the child generally continued
during his life, and that it was fact
beyond contradiction that women,
though deprived of the ballot, exercised
a greater influence upon the general
affairs of this country then the men did.
His address was enthusiastically re-
ceived and gave excellent satisfaction.
After singing, America, by the choir,
Rev. Brown, chaplain of the day, pro-
nounced the benediction and the
audience was dismissed.
The Pittsville Independent gives US
the following account of j. W Cochrans
address in that city on the 4th:
The Orator of the day began by say
ing that he had had only few days in
which to prepare something fitting to SO
glorious an occasion and asking the
audience to grant him their attention
for short time, "to the consideration
of this occasion and circumstances
which have called us together" He
briefly sketched the custom, prevail
ant in every city and hamlet in the
Union, of having a speach on each
recurring 4th of July. And while some
of us might have outgrown the full real
ization OF the pleasure we were wont to
experience on this OCCASION, there is
vet larger army of little men and
women in this land, who have succeed
ed us with their bright anticipation"
and laudable reverence for our institu-
tions and the noble deeds of the patriots
of the revolution, and with the same
hopeful confidence in the future we
once enioved And if there is no bet
ter way of attaining this end, the speak
er said, let us become as little children
for to-day, and forever in that respect
five can.
another year with its joys and sor-
rows, its victories and defeats, its
wonderful progress III art, science
literature and invention, with its sorrows
to the few and its blessings to the many
has been added to our national life, and
we are yet, by Gods favor, q free united
and comparatively happy people
From the lakes on the north to the
FIorldas and the Rio GTande; from
Name to California we meet to-day
without lear OF molestation from foreign
or domestic foes to commemorate the
111th anniversary of that declaration of
right and principal, the maintainance of
which has made us what we are.o
The speaker here pictured some of
the early struggles and trials of the
young Republic, how she was depend
ent on foreign countries for many of the
necessaries and all of the most common
luxuries of life, without arms or am
muntion and money or credit where
with to purchase them, or to pay her
soldiers. The steady growth, remark
able development OF the resources OF
this country since that time, till the
little band of heroes forming the young
Republic III years ago has grown into
nearly go millions of people, and the
young Republic has developed into a